Phone memory full? How to analyze why
If you can no longer install apps on your Android smartphone, you need to analyze the phone memory. This way you can find out which data guzzlers are hiding on your cell phone. We show you how to do this in this practical tip.
When the phone memory is full - analysis by statistics
Android has its own overview of the device memory. You can find these in the system settings of your smartphone:
- Open the system settings, for example via "Settings" in the app drawer.
- Navigate here under "Device" to "Storage".
- The statistics displayed will tell you why your phone memory is full: do you have too many apps installed or too many videos on your phone? The bar at the top of the screen illustrates it (see screenshot).
- Click here on one of the buttons to learn more about the respective category. For example, select "Applications", then you will get an overview of your installed apps. Here you should see if you can uninstall apps you no longer need.
Detailed memory analysis via Android app - track down data guzzlers
The system statistics tell you whether your phone memory is full or not. Android can only roughly tell you what is hidden under "Other files". You should use a special tool for this:
- Download the free Android app DiskUsage to your smartphone.
- If the free tool is installed, open it. Now select "Storage card" or - if you have root rights - "[Root required]" and "/". Wait for the memory to be analyzed.
- Now you see an overview of all files on the phone memory. The more storage space the folder occupies, the larger it will be shown (see picture). You can view the data in more detail with a tap of a finger on a folder or with a two-finger zoom. You can use the magnifying glass icon at the top to search for specific folders and files.
- If you would like to delete a file or an entire folder, select the respective element and tap on the "Delete" button above the three-dot symbol. Confirm the request with "Delete" to remove the selected files and thus free up the phone memory.
These tips refer to a Nexus 7 (2013) with Android 4.3.1. Under other Android versions, the first step may differ slightly. The Android app described can be used universally.